New Forest City jail project is on the line

Voters in Winnebago County on Tuesday to decide fate of $5.25 million proposal that includes other offices

Winnebago County voters will decide Tuesday the fate of a $5.25 million bond proposal that would fund a 20,000-square-foot jail and law enforcement office center.

The center would be built in Forest City and would house a 22-bed jail, offices for the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, 911 dispatch, emergency management and, possibly, the Forest City Police Department.

The existing county law enforcement facility has structural issues and has been cited numerous times by the state jail inspector for deficiencies and code violations.

"The staff has been making the best of the worst situation," Winnebago County Sheriff Dave Peterson said in pushing for support of the bond.

The basement room that houses 911 emergency equipment is prone to water leaks, ceiling tiles have water stains and visible pipes are corroded and rusted, Peterson said.

He also noted that inmates must be moved through areas used by staff and the public.

There are some jail cells that are not fully visible on security cameras and bunks that are safety risks because of metal and other parts, he said.

The county also incurs costs because it must pay to house some inmates at other locations, because it cannot keep all those arrested and satisfy regulations. For example, males must be separated from females, and violent inmates from nonviolent inmates.

"We are not trying to create better conditions" for inmates, County Supervisor Terry Durby said. "We are trying to create safer conditions."

- Associated Press

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New Forest City jail project is on the line

Winnebago County voters will decide Tuesday the fate of a $5.25million bond proposal that would fund a 20,000-square-foot jail and law enforcement office center.